Cover structure



July 13, 1943. w. v. BROWN COVER STRUCTURE Filed July ll, 1941 EN 6 Z 2 N N h w Aw T WP L/.

remixed July 13, 1943 COVER STRUCTURE Walter V. Brown, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Brown Steel Tank Company,

Minneapolis,

Minn, a corporation of Minnesota Application July 11, 1941, Serial No. 402,034

Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in cover structures, and more particularly to such a structure adapted for use in connection with tank trucks, cars, and the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive cover structure which is so designed that most of the parts thereof may be made from pressed steel, whereby the cover, as a whole, is considerably lighter in weight, which i desirabl in'structures of this general type, particularly when the opening to be closed is relatively large as, for example, a man hole.

A further object is to provide a cover structure comprising a cover adapted to be engaged with an annular seat and having an arm overlying it, one end of which is supported on a suitabl pivot, and the intermediate portion of the arm having a universal connection with the central portion of the cover, whereby when pressure is applied to the arm to seat the cover, said pressure will be uniformly distributed around the circumference of the cover to provide a leakproof connection between the cover and its seat, and a locking lever being mounted to engage the swingable end of said arm and secure it in cover locking position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cover structure of the class described comprising an annular upright collar whose upper edge provides an annular seat, and a cover being adapted to engage said seat to close the opening defined by the collar, and a locking arm overlying the cover and pivoted at one end to the collar and having its opposite end adapted to be engaged by a cam lever, whereby the arm may be forced downwardly to firmly seat the cover on its seat, and means being provided in connecion with the cam lever for exerting a yielding pressure on the arm, when in cover closing position.

A further-object is to provide a cover structure of the class described comprising an annular upright collar and a cover member adapted to engage said collar to close the opening therethrough, and an arm being pivoted at one end to the collar and having its intermediate portion connected to the central portion of the cover, and a box-like member being pivoted to said collar and having a U-shaped member interlocked therewith and carrying a cam lever, and a resilient element being interposed between said boxlike member and said U-shaped member adapted to compress the resilient member, when the cam lever is engaged with the arm and actuated to force the cover into sealing engagement with said collar, the mounting of said arm.substantially doubling the force exerted on the cover, as compared to the force applied to the swingable end of the arm to close the cover, whereby the cover may be secured to its seat with a minimum of effort.

Other objects of the invention reside in the simple construction of the various parts of the apparatus which, it will be noted by reference to the drawing, may conveniently be formed out of sheet metal; in the unique construction of the means for locking the cover supporting arm in cover closing position, whereby the arm cannot be manipulated to open the cover when the cover locking means is in locking position; in the universal connection provided between the cover and its operating arm; and in the location of the vent sleeve under the arm whereby the vent is protected from the elements by said arm.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanying drawing and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In theaccompanying drawing there has been my improved cover structure, showing the cover in locked position;

Figure 2 is a similar view, showing the cover locking lever in inoperative position;

Figure 3 is a plan view of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a detail sectional view showing the means for locking the arm in looking position;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the means for supporting the cam lever; and

Figure 6 is a fragmentary detail plan view of I rounded, as shown, to provide a seat 4 adapted to be engaged by a suitable packing 5 carried by a cover, generally designated by the numeral 6.

The cover 8, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2,-

is provided with a downwardly extending peripheral flange I, and has its central portion slightly upwardly curved or dished, as clearly illustrated in Figure 1. Transverse ribs 8 are shown integrally formed with the cover and are preferably arranged in spaced parallel relation, as shown in Figures 1 and 3.

A threaded sleeve 9 is mounted in an opening provided in the cover 6 and is suitably secured thereto, as by welding. A suitable vent or breather, generally designated by the numeral II, and indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1, may be received in threaded engagement with the sleeve 9 to normally close the passage therethrough. An annular member it having a depending flange li is suitably secured to the bottom face of the cover 6 and cooperates with the depending flange I of the cover to provide an annular recess for supporting the gasket 5.

An important, feature of the present invention resides in the provision of means for securing the cover 6 in closing relation with the seat 4. defined by the upper edge of the annular collar 2. Such means is shown comprising an arm, generally designated by the numeral I2, having one end supported on a pivot is suitably secured to a pair of spaced brackets or ears I4, which may be welded or otherwise secured to the collar 2. If

desired, the brackets or ears i4 may be secured to the tank wall 3. I prefer, however, to secure the ears i4 directly to the collar 2, whereby the annular collar 2, cover 6, and arm i2 may be assembled as a unit, independently of the tank.

The arm l2, as best shown in Figure 1, is of U-shaped cross-section, and has an inverted U- shaped member i4 pivotally connected thereto by such means as a transverse pivot is. The depending flanges of the member [4 are pivoted to a lug 2i suitably secured to the central portion of the cover as, for example, by welding. A pivot 22 interconnects the lug 2| with the inverted U-shaped member i 4.

By reference to Figures 1 and 2, it will be noted that the axes of the pins l9 and 22 are disposed in right angular relation, whereby a universal connection is provided between the arm I2 and cover 6, thereby permitting the cover to firmly engage its seat around the entire circumference thereof, when downward pressure is imparted to the central portion thereof by manipulation of the arm l2.

The means provided for locking the arm in cover closing engagement with the seat 4 is shown comprising a box-shaped member, generally designated by the numeral 23, having depending lugs 24 adapted to be pivotally connected to a lug or fixed element 25, by a suitable pivot pin 28. A U -shaped member 21 is interlocked with the box-like member 23 and has its spaced legs 28 received in elongated openings 29 provided in the upper wall of the member 23.

A suitable cam lever, generally designated by the numeral 3|, is .pivoted at 32 to the U-shaped member 21, whereby when the cam portion I! of the lever 3i is moved into engagement with theend portion 35 of the arm i2, the arm may readily be forced downwardly to cause the cover to firmly engage its seat, by swinging the lever ll into the position shown in Figure 1, as will readily be understood by reference to Figure 4. The cam lever 3i is shown provided with a small recess 31 adapted to receive a head 34 provided on the arm I2, whereby when the cam lever is moved into engagement with the bead 4, it may readily be thrust forwardly from the position shown in Figure 4 to that shown in Figure 1, thereby to positively lock the cover 0 in leaktight engagement with the seat 4.

Means is provided for exerting a yielding pressure on the cover when in closing position, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2, may consist of a rubber block or element 28, which is interposed between the wall portions 39 and 4i of the boxlike member 23 and U-shaped member 21, respectively, as clearly illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The box-like member 23 is shown pivotally connected to the lug 25, which preferably has a protruding lip 20 adapted to be engaged by a wall of the member 23 to limit outward swinging movement thereof, as shown in Figure 2.

The novel apparatus herein disclosed, is extremely simple and inexpensive in construction The arm I2 is preferably made U-shaped in crosssection, and may be formed of sheet metal. The cover 5, in like manner, may be formed of sheet metal, and is preferably shaped as shown in Figures 1 and 3, whereby it will be noted that the central portion of the cover is dish-shaped or upwardly curved, whereby it is greatly strengthened, it being understood that the pressure is applied to the central portion thereof, when forcing it into sealing engagement with the seat 4.

In like manner, the members 23 and 21 may be formed of sheet metal and, when interlocked, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5, provide a chamber 42 for receiving the resilient element 38. This element may be in the form of a piece of rubber or other suitable resilient material, or a suitable spring may be used.

As best shown in Figures 1 and 3, the vent supporting sleeve 9 is located directly under the arm i2, whereby it is protected against the elements, as will readily be understood.

The unique manner of pivotally connecting together the cover 6 and arm i2 is also of importance in that the pivots l9 and 22 cooperate to provide a universal connection between the arm and cover, whereby the cover will engage the seat 4 with uniform pressure around its circumference. Also, by making the, cover and arm of pressed steel, as shown, these parts may be made comparatively light in weight, whereby the operation of opening and closing the cover is greatly facilitated.

The unique manner of mounting the arm l2 further facilitates the operation of securing the cover in closed position, because by providing the arm-securing mechanism, such as the parts 21, 3i and 38, at the swingable end of the arm, the force exerted on the outer end of the arm through the resilient or yieldable element 38, is substantially doubled on the cover, whereby the cover may readily be secured to its seat 4 by a minimum of effort.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that I have accomplished at least the principal objects of my invention, and it will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiments therein described may be variously changed and modified, without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the invention is capable of uses and has advantages not herein specifically described; hence it will be appreciated that the herein disclosed embodiments are illustrative only, and that my invention is not limited thereto.

I claim as my invention:

1. A cover structure comprising an annular upright collar adapted to be secured to a tank or other structure to provide an opening therefor,

a cover member engageable with the upper porwith spaced slots, a U-shaped member received in the box-like member and having its legs extending through said slots, a resilient element interposed between said members within the boxlike member, and a cam lever pivoted to the projecting ends of the U-shaped member and adapted to engage said am and thereby force the cover into closing engagement with its seat.

2. A cover structure comprising an annular upright collar adapted to be secured to a tank to provide an opening therefor, a cover engageable with the upper portion of said collar for closing the opening therein, an arm mounted for swinging movement about an axis disposed at one end thereof, means providing a universal connection between the intermediate portion of the arm and the central portion of the cover, and whereby the cover may be operated by manipulation of the arm, an inverted box-like member pivoted to the collar and having spaced openings in its upper wall, a U-shaped member fitted into said boxlike member and having its legs extending through said slots, a resilient element interposed between said members, and a cam lever pivoted to the projecting ends of said U-shaped member adapted to engage the swingable end of the arm, thereby to force the cover into sealing engagement with the collar.

3. A cover structure comprising an annular upright collar adapted to be secured to a tank or other structure to provide an opening therefor, a cover mounted for swinging movement relative to said collar and engageable with the upper portion of the collar for closing the opening therein, locking means for securing the cover in closing engagement with the collar, said locking means comprising a box-like member mounted for pivotal movement and having an upper wall provided with spaced slots, a U-shaped member received in the box member and having its legs extending thru said slots, a resilient element interposed between said members within the boxlike member, a cam lever pivoted to the projecting ends of the legs of the U-shaped member, and means carried by the cover adapted to be engaged by the cam lever whereby pivotal movement of the lever in one direction will force the cover into closing engagement with the collar.

4. A cover structure comprising an annular upright collar adapted to be secured to a tank or other structure to provide an opening therefor, a cover mounted for swinging movement relative to said collar and engageable with the upper portion of the collar for closing the opening therein, locking means for securing the cover in closing engagement with the collar, said locking means comprising an inverted box-like member mounted for pivotal movement and having its upper wall provided with spaced parallel slots, a U- shaped member received in the box member and having its legs extending thru said slots, a resilient element interposed between said members within the box-like member, a lever pivotally mounted between the projecting ends of the legs of the U-shaped member and having an eccentrically disposed portion, and means carried by the cover andprojecting beyond the marginal edge thereof whereby it may be engaged by the eccentric portion of the lever whereby pivotal movement of the lever in one direction may force the cover into closing engagement with the collar.

5. A locking device for a hinged cover comprising a box-like member mounted for pivotal movement independently of the cover and having an upper wall provided with spaced slots, a U-shaped member received in the box member and having its legs extending thru said slots, a resilient element interposed between said members within the box-like member, a cam lever pivotally mounted between the projecting ends of the legs of the U-shaped member, and means carried by the cover adapted to be engaged by the cam lever whereby pivotal movement of the lever in one direction will force the cover into closing engagement with its seat.

. WAL'I'ER V. BROWN. 

